A Nyamira politician has advised Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) to merge its affiliate parties if at all it expects to defeat Jubilee in the coming general elections.
Speaking at Mochenwa region in Nyamira County on Thursday, Kitutu Masaba aspirant Victor Ogeto said the coalition was risking operations within the affiliate parties since it would be difficult when it comes to coordination.
He said top Cord leadership should consider dissolving their parties in aim of constituting a formidable political force that will challenge Jubilee Alliance that has already hinted a merger between URP and TNA after the formation of JAP.
“Sometimes it is difficult to work as a coalition because affiliate party leadership may speak from a different script. Time has come for Cord to amalgamate to form a formidable political party ahead of 2017 elections. Otherwise it will be difficult to beat the ruling coalition that has already formed a party,” said Ogeto.
According to the politician, the merger will ease pressure among the affiliate party leadership besides making it easier to choose a single presidential candidate instead of going to several primaries at the party level.
Ogeto said the move will also end supremacy battles between the parties in grassroots areas.
“We really don’t need aspirants to go through primaries at both party and coalition level. It will also allow us to reduce expenses in handling party affairs,” he added.
This is not the first time the suggestion has been made. Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Farah Maalim called for a merger but was later dismissed by top ODM officials lead by Chairman John Mbadi.